FACULTY OPENING
Digital Research and Instructional Services
Metadata Specialist for User Projects

The University of Virginia Library seeks an innovative, service-oriented
individual to provide direct user support for the organization,
description, and documentation of original digital scholarly projects.

Environment:  The University of Virginia Library is a leader in the
development of digital library initiatives and infrastructure with
electronic centers for texts; digital images, music and media; geospatial
and statistical data; and rare books and manuscripts.  The Library system
consists of eleven libraries, with independent libraries for health
sciences, law, and business. The libraries support 12,000 undergraduates,
6,000 graduate students and 1,600 teaching faculty. The University and the
Library have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among faculty and
staff. The Library's homepage can be accessed at
http://www.lib.virginia.edu.  The Neoclassical buildings of founder Thomas
Jefferson's Academical Village still serve as the center of the
University's Grounds and as a unique backdrop for teaching, learning and
research. For a virtual tour of the Grounds, visit:
http://www.virginia.edu/uvatours/slideshow/

Digital Research and Instructional Services (DRIS) provides the University
with leadership in the application of technology to instruction and
research.  DRIS builds on the groundbreaking collaborative aspects of the
Library's original electronic centers, including the Electronic Text
Center, the Geostat Center, and Rare Materials Digital Services.  Working
closely with faculty and students, DRIS helps to define scholarly digital
projects and support the use and creation of digital content for both
research and instructional contexts.   DRIS provides a forum for
experimentation as well as basic support services, and collaborates
actively with other library departments and services to provide a holistic
approach to the user's needs.  The Metadata Specialist for User Projects is
a newly defined role, created to assist researchers in the organization,
description and documentation their projects and collections.

Responsibilities:  Reporting to the Director of Digital Research and
Instructional Services, the Metadata Specialist for User Projects works as
a team member to help define, plan, and implement digital scholarly
projects and collaborates with users to define standard vocabularies,
taxonomies, thesauri, or other relevant authority schemas. Serves as a
member of the DRIS public services team to educate and train users in the
use and application of Library standards and practices; conducts regular
training sessions on metadata concepts, needs, and issues. Keeps current on
standards and practices related to metadata and digital resource management
and identifies possible local applications. Participates as an active
member of the Library's Metadata Steering Group and liaison between DRIS
and Cataloging. Conducts original research related to metadata and digital
resource management and reports findings. Identifies and participates in
professional development opportunities.

Qualifications:  Required: Master's degree in library science or in a
relevant field and experience in an academic library setting.  Strong
experience in public service and user education; background in the
development of metadata and digital resource management; demonstrated
ability with several major metadata standards and basic familiarity with
others (e.g, MARC, Dublin Core, TEI, FGDC, DDI, VRA, METS,
MODS).  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the
ability to present complex technical information to a generalist audience;
demonstrated skills in project management; and a commitment to professional
development. Preferred: Some experience with programming or scripting
languages such as Perl or XSLT. General understanding of digital library
technologies and directions.
Salary and Benefits:  Competitive depending on qualifications. This
position has general faculty status with excellent benefits, including 22
days of vacation and TIAA/CREF and other retirement plans. Review of
applications will begin on January 3, 2005 and will continue until the
position is filled.  Send in print or electronic format, a letter of
application, resume, and the names, addresses (including e-mail), and phone
numbers of three references to: Mr. Alan R. Napier ([log in to unmask]),
Director of Library Human Resources, Alderman Library, PO Box 400114,
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4114. More information
about the Library can be found at: http://www.lib.virginia.edu/.

The University of Virginia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
employer strongly committed to achieving excellence through cultural
diversity. The University actively encourages applications and nominations
from members of underrepresented groups.